Corrie star Shayne Ward reveals what's better than winning X Factor

As far as best Christmases go, you'd think it'd be pretty difficult to top having the Christmas number one single - but former X Factor winner Shayne Ward reckons that will pale into insignificance next to spending his first festive season as a dad.

The Coronation Street star and his girlfriend, ex-Hollyoaks actress Sophie Austin, are due to welcome their first child just before Christmas and Shayne, who plays Aidan Connor in the ITV soap, said he expected it to be his best holiday ever.

Talking about his favourite Christmas memories, he said: "It's funny actually because I would say what is about to happen.

Shayne and Sophie are expecting a baby (PA)

"I have had some great Christmases, like the year I won the X Factor and I got the 50th Christmas number one with That's My Goal. That was a brilliant present for me because when I heard it announced on Radio 1 as Christmas number one it was pretty special.

"But it is definitely going to be topped by my new arrival."

Meanwhile, his co-star Catherine Tyldesley, who plays Eva Price, has revealed the strange Christmas family tradition that she is planning on continuing with her son Alfie.

Catherine has an unusual Christmas tradition (Daniel Leal Olivas/PA)

She said: "Every year, from being a kid to an adult, my mum does the same thing to wake us up. Even when I was single I used to stay at theirs on Christmas Eve so I woke up with my parents on Christmas Day and at 6:30 in the morning my mum would ring an ice cold, wet flannel, over your face shouting, "It's Christmas!"

"And that's a tradition I am going to continue with Alfie when he is older, I loved it."

Catherine added that she and partner Tom Pitfield would be getting into the festive spirit with some family fancy dress, along with Alfie who will be two in March.

Talking about her Christmas jumper collection, she said: "My favourite is one with an elf's body on it so you look like a little elf. Tom, Alfie and I are going to dress as matching elves this year, we love a theme."